Analyzer

Abstract

When an optimal value of collision energy (CE) corresponding to an MRM transition is automatically determined, a tuning CE value determining unit ( 31 ) determines multiple CE values to be subjected to MRM measurement so that the rate of change in CE value is approximately constant within a predetermined CE value variation range, and a tuning control unit ( 32 ) performs MRM measurement using the determined CE values. Conventionally, the step width of the CE value in tuning is constant; however, in the present invention, the step width is increased to be wider in a range in which the CE value is relatively large than a range in which the CE value is small.

1 . An analyzer having a function of optimizing a value of a parameter that is one of analysis conditions so as to produce an excellent analysis result, the analyzer comprising:
 a) an analysis controller that controls units of the analyzer to perform analysis using each of multiple numerical values determined so that when an absolute value of a numerical value to be the value of the parameter is relatively small, the numerical value is changed by a small change width; when an absolute value of a numerical value is relatively large, the larger the absolute value, the larger a change width the numerical value is changed by and acquires respective analysis results; and   b) an optimal value determining unit that finds an optimal value of the value of the parameter based on the analysis results obtained under control of the analysis controller.   
     
     
         2 . The analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the value of the parameter is a value of voltage. 
     
     
         3 . The analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein the value of the parameter is a value of compound-dependent voltage. 
     
     
         4 . The analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the analyzer is a mass spectrometer, and   the value of the parameter is a value of voltage for manipulating ions that are an analysis object.   
     
     
         5 . The analyzer according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the analyzer is a mass spectrometer including a collision cell in which ions derived from a sample are dissociated, and   the value of the parameter is a value of voltage that determines a value of collision energy used when ions are dissociated in the collision cell.   
     
     
         6 . The analyzer according to  claim 4 , wherein the value of the parameter is a value of voltage applied to an ion transport optical system for transporting the ions that are an analysis object to a subsequent stage. 
     
     
         7 . An analyzer that performs analysis of a sample while changing a value of a parameter that is one of analysis conditions and acquires information on the sample based on obtained analysis results, the analyzer comprising:
 a) an analysis controller that controls units of the analyzer to perform analysis using each of multiple numerical values determined so that when an absolute value of a numerical value to be the value of the parameter is relatively small, the numerical value is changed by a small change width; when an absolute value of a numerical value is relatively large, the larger the absolute value, the larger a change width the numerical value is changed by and acquires respective analysis results; and   b) an analysis result processing unit that acquires information on the sample based on a set of the analysis results obtained under control of the analysis controller or changes in analysis results with respect to changes in value of the parameter.   
     
     
         8 . The analyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the analyzer is a mass spectrometer including a collision cell in which ions derived from the sample are dissociated, and   the value of the parameter is a value of collision energy used when ions are dissociated in the collision cell.   
     
     
         9 . The analyzer according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the analysis results are mass spectrums, and   the analysis result processing unit integrates mass spectrums obtained under different values of the parameter.   
     
     
         10 . The analyzer according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the analysis results are a strength signal of a particular ion, and   the analysis result processing unit creates a graph showing a change of an ionic strength signal with respect to changes in value of the parameter.   
     
     
         11 . The analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the determined multiple numerical values to be the value of the parameter are approximately constant in a ratio of each of the numerical values to a change width. 
     
     
         12 . The analyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein the determined multiple numerical values to be the value of the parameter are approximately constant in a ratio of each of the numerical values to a change width. 
     
     
         13 . The analyzer according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the analyzer is a mass spectrometer, and   the value of the parameter is a value of voltage for manipulating ions that are an analysis object.